Stunt arenas for remote control vehicles

ABSTRACT

A remote control vehicle, a remote control for use in controlling the vehicle, and an arena in which the vehicle can be operated, via the remote control, to engage stunts and perform acrobatic maneuvers are provided. The remote control has a charging port for receiving and charging a battery configured for use with the remote control vehicle. And, the arena includes stunts and fences disposed along part of an outer portion of the arena. The remote control vehicle is operable, via the remote control, in the arena to engage the stunts and perform acrobatic maneuvers within the arena.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/175,428, filed on Feb. 7, 2014, which claims the benefit ofand priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/762,058, filed onFeb. 7, 2013. The entire disclosures of the above applications areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to remote control vehicles, toremote controls for use with the remote control vehicles, and to arenasin which the remote control vehicles can be operated to engage stuntsand perform acrobatic maneuvers (e.g., jumps, flips, rolls, etc.).

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Remote control vehicles are available for racing, jumping, andperforming other actions. Such vehicles may be used in environmentswithout barriers (e.g., in open rooms, in open lots, etc.). Or, suchvehicles may be used in environments with barriers (e.g., race tracks,etc.) in which the vehicles move (e.g., race, etc.) repeatedly aroundpre-defined paths (e.g., for time, for speed, against other vehicles,etc.).

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

The present disclosure is generally directed toward arenas in whichremote control vehicles can be used. In one example embodiment, a stuntarena for use with a remote control vehicle generally includes multiplestunts engageable by the remote control vehicle within the stunt arenato perform acrobatic maneuvers within the stunt arena.

The present disclosure is also generally directed toward assembliescomprising remote control vehicles and arenas. In one exampleembodiment, such an assembly generally includes a remote control vehicleand an arena. The arena has fences disposed along part of an outerportion of the arena and stunts disposed along part of the outer portionof the arena generally between the fences. The remote control vehicle isoperable in the arena to engage the stunts and perform acrobaticmaneuvers within the arena.

The present disclosure is also generally directed toward remote controlsfor use with remote control vehicles. In one example embodiment, such aremote control generally includes a charging port for receiving andcharging a battery of a remote control vehicle (e.g., a remote controlvehicle associated with the remote control, etc.).

The present disclosure is also generally directed toward remote controlvehicles. In one example embodiment, such a remote control vehicle isconfigured for use with an arena comprising multiple stunts engageableby the remote control vehicle to perform acrobatic maneuvers within thearena. The remote control vehicle includes a chassis and wheels coupledto the chassis. The wheels of the remote control vehicle are notsteerable.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a remote control vehicle according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the remote control vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a remote control according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure, where the remote control isoperable to control a remote control vehicle;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the remote control of FIG. 3, furtherillustrating a battery for a remote control vehicle disposed in acharging port of the remote control;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an arena according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure, where a remote controlvehicle can be used in the arena to engage various stunts and performvarious acrobatic maneuvers;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a stunt included with thearena of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of another stunt included withthe arena of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of another stunt included with the arenaof FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective views of an example embodiment of a fenceconfigured for use with arenas of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the fence of FIG. 9, furthershown installed in an arena of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an arena according to another exampleembodiment of the present disclosure, where a remote control vehicle canbe used in the arena to engage various stunts and perform variousacrobatic maneuvers;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a stunt according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure and suitable for use in arenas,where a remote control vehicle can be used in the arena to engage thestunt and perform various acrobatic maneuvers;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the stunt of FIG. 12, with a wall portion of abody of the stunt removed to show assembly details of the stunt;

FIG. 14 is the perspective view of FIG. 12, with a ramp of the stuntpivoted from a first position, as shown in FIG. 12, to a secondposition;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the stunt of FIG. 12, with the stunt includedin an arena; and

FIG. 16 is a stunt arena assembly according to an example embodiment ofthe present disclosure, where the assembly includes a remote controlvehicle, a remote control, and an arena.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to arenasfor remote control vehicles. The vehicles are generally user controlled.And, the arenas include various stunts (e.g., ramps, jumps, barrels,loops, tunnels, etc.), where the vehicles are free to move throughoutthe arenas to engage the stunts and perform desired maneuvers (e.g.,jumps, flips, rolls, etc.). The stunts can be arranged in variousdesired play patterns. What's more, the vehicles are free to driveanywhere in the arenas (in any desired paths, patterns, etc.) to engagethe stunts in any desired order, combination, etc. and/or at any desiredangle, speed, etc. As such, the movement of the vehicles around thearenas is substantially free-form (e.g., free of slots in the arenas,guides in the arenas, specific track patterns in the arena, etc. thatwould control, direct, dictate, etc. specific paths of movement of thevehicles in the arenas, etc.).

Example embodiments of the present disclosure also generally relate toremote control vehicles and remote controls for use with such vehicles,where the remote control vehicles can be used in arenas of the presentdisclosure (via control using the remote controls). In some aspects, theremote controls including charging ports for charging batteries used tooperate the remote control vehicles. As such, one battery can beinstalled to vehicles being controlled by a remote control and anothervehicle battery can be plugged into a charging port of the remotecontrol for charging.

With reference now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a remotecontrol vehicle 100 according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The remote control vehicle 100 can be used in connectionwith any of the stunt arenas, remote controls, assemblies, etc.disclosed herein.

The illustrated vehicle 100 generally includes a chassis 102 having aframe 104, forward wheels 106, rearward wheels 108, and a drive motor110 (with suitable gearing). A forward portion of the frame includes abumper 114, and a rearward portion of the frame defines a compartmentconfigured to house the drive motor 110. A central portion of the framedefines a compartment for holding a battery 118 (e.g., via clips, etc.)used to power the drive motor 110 of the vehicle 100. The battery 118 ofthe vehicle 100 is a removable and rechargeable battery 118 (e.g., arechargeable lithium-polymer battery, etc.). And, the battery 118 isconfigured to be easily installed into and removed from the vehicle 100.Wiring (e.g., via quick connect electrical connections, etc.) isprovided to couple the battery 118 to the drive motor 110 to providepower. A switch 120 is provided to activate/deactivate power to thevehicle 100 as desired.

The drive motor 110 of the vehicle 100 is configured to operate therearward wheels 108 of the vehicle 100. In one operational setting, thedrive motor 110 can operate the rearward wheels 108 of the vehicle 100in a forward direction (e.g., in a counter-clockwise direction as viewedin FIG. 2, etc.) for moving the vehicle 100 generally forward. And inanother operational setting, the drive motor 110 can reverse action andoperate the rearward wheels 108 of the vehicle 100 in a rearwarddirection (e.g., in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2, etc.) formoving the vehicle 100 generally backward. The operational setting ofthe drive motor 110 can be remotely controlled and selectively changedas desired (e.g., via a remote control, etc.). In other exampleembodiments, vehicles may include drive motors configured to operateforward wheels of the vehicles, or drive motors configured to operateforward wheels and rearward wheels of the vehicles, or multiple drivemotors configured to operate forward wheels and/or rearward wheels ofthe vehicles as desired.

The vehicle 100 also includes a controller configured to directoperation of the vehicle 100 (e.g., by controlling the drive motor 110,etc.). For example, the controller may direct desired movement of thevehicle 100 (e.g., generally forward movement of the vehicle 100,generally backward movement of the vehicle 100, etc.), speed of thevehicle 100, power to the vehicle 100, various combinations thereof,other desired operations associated with the vehicle 100, etc. In sodoing, the controller may receive and/or send information (e.g., viaradio signals, via infrared signals, etc.) from and/or to a remotecontrol associated with the vehicle 100.

In addition, the controller is also configured to perform failsafefunctions relating to the operation of the vehicle 100. For example, thecontroller may monitor charge level of the battery 118 and provide anindication, warning, etc. if it falls below a predetermined threshold.Among other things, this can help prevent damage to the battery 118and/or help prolong operational life of the battery 118. The controllermay also monitor rotation of the wheels 106 and/or 108 of the vehicle100 and deactivate power to the drive motor 110 if the wheels 106 and/or108 are stopped, for example, by an outside force, etc. for apredetermined period of time (e.g., to help prevent the drive motor 110from becoming damaged, etc.). The controller may then reactivate powerto the drive motor 110 after the drive motor 110 completely stops.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an overall height of thechassis 102 of the vehicle 100 is less than a diameter of each of thewheels 106, 108. As such, the vehicle 100 is capable of driving on itstop (as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2) or on its bottom. This allows thevehicle 100 to always appear to the user to be in a generally forwarddriving orientation, for example, when landing after performingmaneuvers in an arena, etc. To accommodate this operation, a tilt switch(or other suitable device for sensing orientation of the vehicle 100relative to gravity) is provided with the vehicle 100 (e.g., included ona circuit board of the vehicle 100 in communication with the controller,etc.). The tilt switch is operable to reverse the operational setting ofthe drive motor 110 when the vehicle 100 turns upside down. This featurehelps keep the vehicle 100 always driving forward (as viewed by a user),regardless of which side is up. This feature also allows for the sameuse, operation, etc. of a remote control (associated with the vehicle100) to drive the vehicle 100 regardless of whether it is right-side upor upside down.

The vehicle 100 also includes a light 122 coupled to the frame 104. Thelight 122 is configured to illuminate a path in which the vehicle 100 ismoving. The light 122 can include any desired light within the scope ofthe present disclosure, for example, white light, ultraviolet light,black light, etc. In addition, while only one light 122 is illustratedin FIG. 1, it should be appreciated that multiple lights may be used inthe vehicle 100, for example, at different positions along the frame 104and/or at one or more positions on the top and bottom of the frame 104(such that the lights can illuminate a path in which the vehicle 100 ismoving regardless of direction of movement and/or orientation of thevehicle 100).

In the illustrated embodiment, the drive motor 110 of the vehicle 100 isa variable speed motor 110. As such, the drive motor 110 can operate therearward wheels 108 of the vehicle 100 at different speeds, therebyallowing the vehicle 100 to move at different desired speeds (e.g.,across an arena, into engagement with stunts, etc.). In other exampleembodiments, vehicles may include constant speed drive motors, or anyother suitable drive motors, within the scope of the present disclosure.

Also in the illustrated embodiment, neither the forward wheels 106 northe rearward wheels 108 of the vehicle 100 are steerable. As such, thevehicle 100 is configured for movement only generally forward and onlygenerally backward (depending on the operational setting of the drivemotor 110). In other example embodiments, however, vehicles may includeforward wheels and/or rearward wheels that are steerable within thescope of the present disclosure (e.g., via a remote control, etc.).

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a remote control 230 according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure. The remote control 230 isconfigured to control operation of a remote control vehicle. As anexample, the remote control 230 can be used to control operation of theremote control vehicle 100 previously described and illustrated in FIGS.1 and 2, the remote control vehicle 300 described hereinafter andillustrated in FIGS. 5-8, etc. Further, the remote control 230 can beused in connection with any of the example embodiments of remote controlvehicles, arenas, assemblies, etc. described herein.

The illustrated remote control 230 generally includes a handle 232 and atrigger 234 (broadly, an actuator) arranged in a pistol-typeconfiguration. A suitable communication device is provided with theremote control 230 for communicating (e.g., via radio signals, infraredsignals, etc.) with a remote control vehicle (e.g., with the controllerof vehicle 100, etc.) and controlling operation of the vehicle. Thehandle 232 includes a port for receiving batteries (e.g., AA batteries,etc.) to power the remote control 230. In other example embodiments,remote controls may have configurations other than pistol-typeconfigurations.

In use, the remote control 230 is configured to operate a remote controlvehicle without steering (e.g., the remote control vehicle 100, etc.).As such, actuating the trigger 234 forward and backward functions tocontrol, change, etc. movement of the vehicle (e.g., controlsoperational settings of a drive motor of the vehicle to control speed,direction, etc. of the vehicle, etc.). For example, pulling the trigger234 toward the handle 232 drives the vehicle generally forward, andpushing the trigger 234 away from the handle 232 drives the vehiclegenerally backward. What's more, where the vehicle includes a variablespeed drive motor (as in vehicle 100), the remote control 230 allows forvariable speed operation of the vehicle, where pulling the trigger 234slightly moves the vehicle slowly, and pulling the trigger 234 all theway moves the vehicle at max speed. In addition, where the vehicle isconfigured to drive right-side up and upside down (and includes a tiltswitch, as in vehicle 100), pulling the trigger 234 toward the handle232 drives the vehicle generally forward regardless of whether thevehicle is right-side up or upside down, and pushing the trigger 234away from the handle 232 drives the vehicle generally backwardregardless of whether the vehicle is right-side up or upside down. Inother example embodiments, remote controls may be configured to controlvehicles in which wheels of the vehicles are steerable. Here, the remotecontrols may then include features for steering the vehicles (e.g.,wheels, knobs, other actuators, etc.).

The remote control 230 also includes a charging port 238 configured toreceive and charge a battery 218 (FIG. 4) of a remote control vehicle(e.g., battery 118 of remote control vehicle 100, etc.). In theillustrated embodiment, the charging port 238 includes clips 240 forsecuring the battery 218 on the remote control 230, and electricalcontacts 242 for coupling to and charging the battery 218. As such, onebattery can be installed to the vehicle being controlled by the remotecontrol 230 and another battery can be plugged into the charging port238 of the remote control 230 for charging (e.g., while a user continuesto play with the vehicle, while the vehicle and/or remote control 230are idle, etc.). In other example embodiments, remote controls mayinclude multiple charging ports configured to receive and chargemultiple batteries of remote control vehicles.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate an arena 350 (e.g., a stunt arena, etc.) accordingto an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The remote controlvehicle 100 and the remote control 230 previously described andillustrated in FIGS. 1-4 can be used in connection with the arena 350,for example, to perform desired maneuvers, etc.

As shown in FIG. 5, the arena 350 includes multiple tiles 352 a-d andmultiple stunts 354 a-d arranged to form the arena 350. The tiles 352a-d are generally flat and form a floor (e.g., a driving surface, etc.)of the arena 350 on which a remote control vehicle 300 can drive. And,the stunts 354 a-d are positioned at various locations around the floorso that the remote control vehicle 300 can selectively engage the stunts354 a-d as it drives across the floor. The tiles 352 a-d and the stunts354 a-d are configured to interlock with adjacent tiles 352 a-d and/orstunts 354 a-d to help hold them in place, together, etc. in desiredconfigurations (e.g., in the configuration shown in FIG. 5, in otherconfigurations described herein, in still other desired configurations,etc.). This helps provide a smooth transition between the tiles 352 a-dand the stunts 354 a-d for driving the vehicle 300. In the illustratedembodiment, various edges of the tiles 352 a-d and the stunts 354 a-dinclude teeth 356 configured to fit into corresponding openings 358located in edges of adjacent tiles 352 a-d and/or stunts 354 a-d tothereby interlock them. In other example embodiments, arenas may includetiles and/or stunts with other structures (e.g., other configurations ofreleasable fasteners, etc.) configured to interlock adjacent tilesand/or stunts as desired.

The tiles 352 a, 352 b define inner tiles of the arena 350, and thetiles 352 c, 352 d define outer tiles of the arena 350. The outer tiles352 c, 352 d are positioned generally around the inner tiles 352 a, 352b at various locations to define part of an outer boundary of the arena350. In addition in the illustrated embodiment, the outer tiles 352 care curved outer tiles, and the outer tiles 352 d are straight outertiles. The curved outer tiles 352 c are positioned generally toward endportions of the arena 350, and the strait outer tiles 352 d arepositioned generally between the curved outer tiles 352 c.

Each of the outer tiles 352 c, 352 d of the arena 350 includes a raisedlip 362 extending along outer side portions of the tiles 352 c, 352 d.Fences 364 are coupled to the lips 362 of the outer tiles 352 c, 352 d.In the illustrated embodiment, the fences 364 include legs 366configured to fit into corresponding openings 368 in the lips 362 of theouter tiles 352 c, 352 d to secure the fences 364 to the tiles 352 c,352 d. In addition, the fences 364 include side tabs configured tointerlock adjacent fences 364 together (and help secure adjacent tiles352 c, 352 d together). Together, these features help further secure thetiles 352 c, 352 d of the arena 350 together, to thereby provide smoothtransitions between the fences 364 and the lips 362 of the outer tiles352 c, 352 d and between the adjacent fences 364. In other exampleembodiments, arenas may include fences with other structures (e.g.,other configurations of fasteners, other configurations of tabs onfences, other numbers of tabs on fences, etc.) configured to couple thefences to tiles, to adjacent fences, etc. as desired. And in still otherexample embodiments, arenas may include tiles with fences formedintegrally, monolithically, as one piece, etc. therewith.

The outer tiles 352 c, 352 d of the arena 350 also include markings 353that may be illuminated by lights (e.g., light 122, etc.) of the vehicle300 when the vehicle 300 is moving around the arena 350. In someaspects, the markings 353 may further include luminous materials (e.g.,paints, markings, adhesives, etc.), luminescent materials (e.g., paints,markings, adhesives, etc.), or other materials that give off visiblelight through fluorescence, phosphorescence, radio luminescence, etc.Further, the lights of the vehicle 300 may include lights configured tomake at least part of the markings 353 become visible (or become morevisible) and/or glow when illuminated by the lights. As such, in theseaspects, the vehicle 300 can leave a visible trail across the arena 350,with the lighted, glowing, etc. markings 353 generally indicating a pathof travel for the vehicle 300 in the arena 350. In other exampleembodiments, the tiles 352 a, 352 b may also include markings 353. Itshould be appreciated that any desired arrangement of markings 353 canbe used in the present disclosure.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the stunt 354 a includes a pair ofgenerally aligned and spaced apart ramps 372 a, 372 b. This stunt 354 aallows the remote control vehicle 300 to jump from one ramp 372 a to theother ramp 372 b (FIG. 6). For example, the vehicle 300 can engage (andtake off from) either one of the ramps 372 a, 372 b of the stunt 354 aand then land on the other one of the ramps 372 a, 372 b to therebyperform a jump maneuver using the stunt 354 a. In FIG. 6, the vehicle300 is shown performing a jump maneuver, after engaging and taking offfrom the ramp 372 b.

As also shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the stunt 354 b includes a quarter pipesection 382 (with an upper portion 384 of the quarter pipe section 382oriented generally vertically). This stunt 354 b allows the remotecontrol vehicle 300 to perform jumps, rolls, etc. depending on an angleupon which the vehicle 300 engages the quarter pipe section 382. Forexample, the vehicle 300 can engage the quarter pipe section 382generally square and jump generally vertically into the air, or thevehicle 300 can engage the quarter pipe section 382 at an angle and rollover, etc.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, the stunt 354 c also includes a pair oframps 372 a, 372 b. The ramps 372 a, 372 b of this stunt 354 c aresubstantially the same as the ramps 372 a, 372 b of the stunt 354 a,previously described, and could be interchanged therewith as desired.Here, the ramps 372 a, 372 b are oriented generally back-to-back, andextenders 374, 376 are coupled to upper portions of the ramps 372 a, 372b. The ramps 372 a, 372 b, when positioned back-to-back, may be coupledtogether by suitable fasteners, or they may be simply positionedadjacent each other (this can apply to all stunts herein that includethe ramps 372 a, 372 b). And, the extenders 374, 376 comprise differentorientations than the upper portions of the ramps 372 a, 372 b, tothereby cause the vehicle 300 to perform a different maneuver whenengaging the extenders 374, 376 than when engaging the ramps 372 a, 372b alone (i.e., the ramps 372 a, 372 b without the extenders 374, 376)(this can apply to all extenders herein).

The stunt 354 c allows the remote control vehicle 300 to perform agenerally vertical jump (e.g., a jump to achieve maximum verticalheight, etc.) (FIG. 7), or a generally backward, launching horizontaljump (see FIG. 8). For example, in one aspect the vehicle 300 can engage(and take off from) the ramp 372 a (and its corresponding extender 374which extends generally vertically from the ramp 372 a) and jumpgenerally vertically into the air (FIG. 7). In connection with thismaneuver, the stunt 354 c also includes an adjustable flag 378 that canbe selectively positioned generally vertically to identify a heightdistance achieved by the vehicle 300 in performing the jump maneuver.And in another aspect, the vehicle 300 can engage (and take off from)the ramp 372 b (and its corresponding extender 376 which is curved andextends generally past vertical) and jump generally upwardly andhorizontally into the air (FIG. 8). In other example embodiments, arenasmay include stunts with extenders formed separately from ramps andconfigured to couple thereto, or extenders formed integrally with ramps,etc.

And, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 8, the stunt 354 d also includes apair of ramps 372 a, 372 b. Again, the ramps 372 a, 372 b of this stunt354 d are substantially the same as the ramps 372 a, 372 b of the stunt354 a and the ramps 372 a, 372 b of the stunt 354 b, previouslydescribed, and could be interchanged therewith as desired. Here, theramps 372 a, 372 b are oriented generally back-to-back, and a barrelsection 380 (broadly, an extender) is coupled to upper portions of theramps 372 a, 372 b. This stunt 354 d allows the remote control vehicle300 to perform generally horizontal jumps, either right-side up orupside down. For example, the vehicle 300 in the arena 350 can engage(and take off from) either one of the back-to-back ramps 372 a, 372 b(and the barrel section 380 coupled thereto) and jump generallyhorizontally. In one aspect, the vehicle 300 can engage the ramp 372 aand drive generally over the barrel section 380 (to jump generallyhorizontally). And in another aspect, the vehicle 300 can engage theramp 372 b and drive generally under the barrel section 380 (to jumpgenerally horizontally). In the illustrated embodiment, the barrelsection 380 of the stunt 354 d is constructed from two portions that areconfigured to couple together and then couple to the upper portions ofthe ramps 372 a, 372 b. In other example embodiments, arenas may includestunts with barrel sections formed from single portions, or barrelsections formed from more than two portions, or barrel sections formedintegrally with ramps, etc.

In FIG. 8, the remote control vehicle 300 is shown performing an examplemaneuver utilizing a combination of stunt 354 c and stunt 354 d. Here,the stunts 354 c, 354 d are arranged slightly differently thanillustrated in FIG. 5. For example, here the vehicle 300 initiallyengages the ramp 372 a of stunt 354 d and drives generally under thebarrel section 380. The vehicle 300 then engages the ramp 372 b andextender 376 of stunt 354 c and jumps generally horizontally onto anupper portion of the barrel section 380 of the stunt 354 d (and theneventually down the ramp 372 b). With that said, it should beappreciated that various other maneuvers can be performed usingdifferent combinations, constructions, etc. of the stunts 354 a-d in thearena 350. What's more, the stunts 354 a-d may be arranged and/orconfigured differently than illustrated herein to allow users to performeven other maneuvers.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fences 364 are positioned on the lips362 of the outer tiles 352 c, 352 d of the arena 350 (generally along aportion of the outer boundary of the arena 350). And, the stunts 354 a-dare configured to be positioned between select ones of the outer tiles352 c, 352 d at locations generally along the outer boundary of thearena 350 (between sections of fences 364). The illustrated stunts 354a-d also include fence portions that are capable of coupling to thefences 364. As such, the perimeter of the arena 350 is generally definedby both fences 364 and select stunts 354 a-d, and thus includes portionswith the fences 364 (e.g., along the lips 362 of the outer tiles 352 c,352 d, etc.) and portions without fences (e.g., at the stunts 354 a-d,etc.). Further, the fences 364 and select stunts 354 a-d also define agenerally open area for driving a remote control vehicle in the arena.And in the illustrated embodiment, this area is not a loop (or donut)configuration, and could be any configured desired by a user.

The fences 364 also define a generally partial barrier along the outertiles 352 c, 352 d which helps keep the remote control vehicle 300 inthe arena 350 (e.g., helps prevent the vehicle 300 from bouncing out ofthe arena 350 at the outer tiles 352 c, 352 d, etc.) when driving in thearena 350, when performing maneuvers in the arena 350, etc. In addition,the lips 362 and/or fences 364 also operate to help guide the vehicle300 in the arena 350 toward the stunts 354 a-d. For example, as thevehicle 300 is driving around the arena 350, it engages a portion of thelips 362 and/or the fences 364 which then tends to guide the vehicle 300toward one of the stunts 354 a-d by maintaining generally steady contactwith a portion of the vehicle 300 while the vehicle 300 movestherealong. In other example embodiments, arenas may include stuntspositioned at inner locations of the arenas and/or along outerboundaries of the arenas. In still other example embodiments, stunts maybe formed by hooking flexible sheets of plastic into guides of frames toform the desired stunts (e.g., jumps, loops, etc.).

The fences 364 are also configured to allow viewing the remote controlvehicle 300 in the arena 350 through the fences 364 (e.g., the fences364 are formed with openings therein, etc.). This allows users to viewaction in the arena 350 without obstruction from the fences 364. Thisalso allows users to maintain continuous control of the vehicle 300 inthe arena 350 (e.g., helps maintain a line of sight between a remotecontrol and the vehicle 300 in the arena 350 for transmission/receptionof operational signals, etc.) without obstruction from the fences 364.

Also in the illustrated embodiment, the tiles 352 a-d and the stunts 354a-d of the arena 350 are arranged generally in a grid system to form thedriving area of the arena 350. As part of this arrangement, the tiles352 a-d and the stunts 354 a-d are uniquely sized so that they can bepositioned to easily form desired configurations for the arena 350. Withthat said, the illustrated tiles 352 a-d and stunts 354 a-d are eitherfull size, half size, or quarter size. Specifically, the tiles 352 b,352 c are full size; the tiles 352 a, 352 d and the stunt 354 d are halfsize; and the ramps 372 a, 372 b forming stunts 354 a-c are quarter size(with the resulting stunts 354 a-c actually being half size).

Further in the illustrated embodiment, the ramps 372 a, 372 b of each ofthe stunts 354 a-c are generally the same and can be interchanged andused in connection with any of the stunts 354 a-c. In addition, theextenders 374, 376 and the barrel section 380 of stunts 354 b, 354 c canbe interchanged with any of the ramps 372 a, 372 b as desired. As such,the stunts 354 a-c can be reconfigured as desired to allow remotecontrol vehicles to perform different maneuvers, etc.

In use of the arena 350, remote control vehicle 300 can be operated inthe arena 350 to engage the stunts 354 a-d and perform variousmaneuvers, as desired. The vehicle 300 can move around the floor of thearena 350 and engage the stunts 354 a-d at desired speeds, angles, etc.The operator can move the vehicle 300 around the arena 350 in any waydesired and through the various stunts 354 a-d in any desired order,speed, etc. The movement of the vehicle 300 is substantially free-form.What's more, the generally enclosed environment of the arena 350 allowsusers to quickly perform repeated stunts 354 a-d. Moreover, the stunts354 a-d are configured to allow the vehicle 300 to perform arealacrobatic maneuvers. For example, users operating the vehicle 300 mayincrease, decrease, reverse, etc. operational power to a drive motor ofthe vehicle 300 to thereby modify, create, etc. a torque on the vehicle300 as the vehicle 300 jumps in the air to cause the vehicle 300 toperform acrobatic maneuvers in the air. And still further, the stunts354 a-d may be configured to direct the vehicle 300 out of the arenas(e.g., into other arenas, to other desired locations, etc.) as desired.

In example embodiments of the present disclosure where remote controlvehicles used in the arenas do not include steering (e.g., remotecontrol vehicle 100, 300, etc.), a user can still perform numerousstunts in the arenas by simply actuating a trigger of a remote controlassociated with the vehicle (e.g., for an extended period of time,etc.). In addition, over time the user may learn how to control thevehicle with some finesse (eventhough the vehicle does not includesteering). For example, the user may learn that the vehicle can be freedwhen it gets hung up on a stunt by driving in reverse, or the user maylearn to control flight characteristics of the vehicle (after jumpinginto the air) by changing the speed and direction of a drive motor ofthe vehicle in midair, etc.

In other example embodiments, radio frequency identification (RFID)readers and/or optical readers may be installed in arenas (e.g., intiles of the arenas, in fences of the arenas, in stunts of the arenas,etc.) to sense, for example, locations of remote control vehicles in thearenas, when remote control vehicles jump out of the arenas, etc.). Inembodiments where the readers sense when remote control vehicles jumpout of the arenas, the readers may then communicate with the vehiclesafter they jump out of the arenas to stop power to the vehicles.

In still other example embodiments, arenas may include more stunts orless stunts than disclosed herein. In addition, other exampleembodiments may include arenas with stunts different from thosedisclosed herein (e.g., tunnels, other stunts configured to launch aremote control vehicle into the air, other stunts configured to allow aremote control vehicle to perform an acrobatic maneuver, etc.).

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate another example embodiment of a fence 364′configured for use with an arena (e.g., arena 350, any of the arenas ofthe present disclosure, etc.). The fence 364′ is substantially similarto the fence 364 previously described with reference to FIGS. 5-8 forthe arena 350. In this embodiment, however, the fence 364′ generallyincludes a footing 366′ configured to fit in a corresponding opening ina lip 362′ of tiles 352 c′, 352 d′ to thereby couple the fence 364′ tothe lip 362′ of the tiles 352 c′, 352 d′. In addition, mating tabbedconnectors 370 a′, 370 b′ are provided for connecting adjacent fences364′ together and, in some aspects, helping hold corresponding tiles 352c′, 352 d′ together, etc.

FIG. 11 illustrates an arena 450 (e.g., a stunt arena, etc.) accordingto another example embodiment of the present disclosure. And again, theremote control vehicle 100 and the remote control 230 previouslydescribed and illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 can be used in connection withthe arena 450, for example, to perform desired maneuvers, etc.

Components of the arena 450 of this embodiment are substantially similarto those described in connection with the arena 350 illustrated in FIGS.5-8 (except the components are interconnected in a differentconfiguration). For example, the arena 450 includes multiple tiles 452a-d and multiple stunts 454 a-d arranged to form the arena 450. Thetiles 452 a-d and the stunts 454 a-d are configured to interlock withadjacent tiles 452 a-d and/or stunts 454 a-d to help hold them in place,together, etc. (as previously described for the tiles 352 a-d and thestunts 354 a-d of the arena 350). Outer tiles 452 c, 452 d of the arena450 each include a raised lip 462 extending along an outer side portionof the tile 452 c, 452 d. And, fences 464 are coupled to the lips 462 ofthe outer tiles 452 c, 452 d.

In addition, the stunt 454 a includes a pair of generally aligned andspaced apart ramps 472 a, 472 b which allows a remote control vehicle inthe arena 450 to jump from one ramp 472 a, 472 b to the other ramp 472a, 472 b (e.g., over a portion of the arena 450, etc.). The stunt 454 bincludes a quarter pipe section 482 which allows a remote controlvehicle in the arena 450 to perform jumps, rolls, etc. depending on anangle upon which the vehicle engages the quarter pipe section 482. Thestunt 454 c (two versions of stunt 454 c are included in the arena 450)also includes a pair of ramps 472 a, 472 b oriented generallyback-to-back, and extenders 474, 476 coupled to upper portions of theramps 472 a, 472 b. Each stunt 454 c allows a remote control vehicle inthe arena 450 to perform a generally vertical jump (e.g., a jump toachieve maximum vertical height, etc.). And, the stunt 454 d includes apair of ramps 472 a, 472 b oriented generally back-to-back, and a barrelsection 480 coupled to upper portions of the ramps 472 a, 472 b. Thisstunt 454 d allows a remote control vehicle in the arena 450 to performgenerally horizontal jumps, either right-side up or upside down.

The arena 450 of this embodiment further includes stunts 454 e, 454 f.The stunt 454 e includes a pair of ramps 472 a, 472 b oriented generallyback-to-back. This stunt allows a remote control vehicle in the arena450 to jump, for example, from one ramp 472 a, 472 b to the other ramp472 a, 472 b, etc. And, the stunt 454 f includes a pair of ramps 472 a,472 b spaced apart with a quarter pipe section 482 positionedtherebetween. Sloped extenders 490, 492 are coupled to upper portions ofthe ramps 472 a, 472 b, and a scoop extender 494 is coupled to an upperportion of the quarter pipe section 482. In one aspect, this stunt 454 fallows a remote control vehicle in the arena 450 to perform a generallyvertical, twisting jump (e.g., a jump that launches a remote controlvehicle upwardly and inwardly, etc.). For example, the vehicle canengage (and take off from) ramp 472 a (and its corresponding slopedextender 490) and jump upwardly into the air and inwardly (to the rightin FIG. 11) to thereby perform a generally twisting jump maneuver. Inaddition, the vehicle can engage (and take off from) ramp 472 b (and itscorresponding sloped extender 482) and jump upwardly into the air andinwardly (to the left in FIG. 11) to thereby perform another generallytwisting jump maneuver. And in another aspect, the stunt 454 f allows aremote control vehicle in the arena 450 to perform reverse jumps, rolls,etc. depending on an angle upon which the vehicle engages the quarterpipe section 482. For example, the vehicle can engage the quarter pipesection 482 and scoop extender 494 generally square and perform aback-flip jump sending the vehicle back into the arena 450, or thevehicle can engage the quarter pipe section 482 of the stunt 454 f at anangle and roll over, etc.

In addition in this embodiment, the stunt 454 f can be modified byremoving the sloped extenders 490, 492 and/or scoop extender 494 fromthe respective ramps 472 a, 472 b and quarter pipe section 482. In oneaspect, the stunt 454 f then includes the ramps 472 a, 472 b for aremote control vehicle in the arena 450 to perform basic jumps (e.g.,jumps from the arena 450 to an adjacent arena, jumps out of the arena450, etc.), and the quarter pipe section 482 for the vehicle to performgenerally vertical jumps and/or rolls. In another aspect, the arena 450(with the modified stunt 454 f) can be positioned with the modifiedstunt 454 f against a wall. Here, the vehicle in the arena 450 canengage the stunt 454 f and drive generally up the wall.

FIGS. 12-15 illustrate a stunt 554 g according to another exampleembodiment of the present disclosure. The stunt 554 g can be included inan arena of the present disclosure (e.g., arena 350, 450, 650, etc.) orany other arena. And, a remote control vehicle 500 (or any other remotecontrol vehicle (e.g., remote control vehicle 100, 300, etc.; otherremote control vehicles disclosed herein; other remote control vehicles;etc.) or combinations of remote control vehicles) can be operated inconnection with the stunt 554 g, for example, to perform desiredmaneuvers, etc.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the stunt 554 g generally includes a body586 and a ramp 588 coupled to the body 586. In the illustratedembodiment, the body 586 defines a generally “U” shape, and includessidewalls 586 a, 586 b and a base 586 c. The ramp 588 is coupled to thebody 586 at the sidewalls 586 a, 586 b. In particular, the ramp 588includes tabs 588 a (only one tab 588 a is visible in FIG. 13)configured to be received in openings of the sidewalls 586 a, 586 b tothereby couple the ramp 588 to the body 586. In other exampleembodiments, stunts may include ramps coupled to bodies by other means,for example, tabs on the bodies configured for receipt in openings ofthe ramps, pins extending from the sidewalls and through the ramp, etc.In still other example embodiments, stunts may include bodies withshapes other than illustrated herein, for example, other than generally“U” shape, etc.

Fences 564 can also be coupled to the body 586 of the stunt 554 g (FIG.15). In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewalls 586 a, 586 b of thebody 586 include openings 568 configured to receive the fences 564. Thefences 564 then operate as described for other fences herein.

When included in an arena (FIG. 15), the stunt 554 g can be positionedat various locations around a floor of the arena so that the remotecontrol vehicle 500 can selectively engage the stunt 554 g (along withother stunts) as it drives across the floor. As such, the stunt 554 g isconfigured to interlock with adjacent tiles (e.g., tiles 552 d in FIG.15) and/or stunts to help hold it in place, together, etc. in a desiredconfiguration. This also helps provide a smooth transition between thetiles and the stunt 554 g for driving the vehicle 500. In theillustrated embodiment, various edges of the stunt 554 g include teeth556 configured to fit into corresponding openings located in edges ofadjacent tiles and/or stunts, and openings 558 configured to receivecorresponding teeth located in edges of the adjacent tiles and/orstunts, to thereby interlock the stunt 554 g with the adjacent tilesand/or stunts. In other example embodiments, stunts may include otherstructures (e.g., other configurations of releasable fasteners, etc.)configured to interlock them with adjacent tiles and/or stunts, asdesired.

The ramp 588 of the stunt 554 g is generally arcuate in shape, andprovides a platform to launch the remote control vehicle 500 into theair when using the stunt 554 g. Ribs 588 b are provided along a lowerportion of the ramp 588 to help reinforce the ramp 588. The ramp 588 canbe formed having any desired angle, or combination of angles, tofacilitating launching the vehicle 500. The illustrated ramp 588includes a generally changing angle that defines a scoop or generally“U” shaped configuration. Alternatively, the ramp 588 may have shallowerangles if it is desired to launch the vehicle 500 in a more horizontaldirection, or if the vehicle 500 is relatively long (e.g., to helpinhibit the vehicle from dragging when it engages the ramp, etc.). Or,the ramp 588 may have steeper angles if it is desired to launch thevehicle 500 in a more vertical direction, or if the vehicle 500 isrelatively short. In other example embodiments, stunts may include rampswith shapes other than illustrated herein, for example, generally planarshapes with generally constant angles, etc.

With additional reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, the ramp 588 is alsoconfigured to pivot relative to the body 586 (via the tabs 588 a andopenings). For example, the ramp 588 can pivot between a first positionshown in FIG. 12 and a second position shown in FIG. 14. As such, in oneaspect, the remote control vehicle 500 can engage an upper surface ofthe ramp 588, drive generally over the ramp 588, and perform a jumpmaneuver. This can also cause the ramp 588 to generally pivot betweenthe first and second positions. In another aspect, the vehicle 500 canengage a lower surface of the ramp 588, and drive generally under theramp 588 and through the body 586. This again can cause the ramp 588 togenerally pivot between the first and second positions.

In FIG. 15, two remote control vehicles 500 are shown performing examplemaneuvers utilizing the stunt 554 g. One of the vehicles 500 is shownengaging an upper surface of the ramp 588, and jumping generallyvertically. And, the other one of the vehicles 500 is shown in aposition driving under the ramp 588 and through the body 586. With thatsaid, it should be appreciated that various other maneuvers can beperformed using the stunt 554 g, for example, depending on positioningof the ramp 588, etc.

FIG. 16 illustrates a stunt arena assembly 698 according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure. The assembly 698 generallyincludes a remote control vehicle 600, a remote control 630, and anarena 650. In some aspects, the stunt assembly 698 is provided inpackaging (e.g., to facilitate shipping, storage, display, etc.), thatincludes the vehicle 600, the remote control 630, and the arena 650.And, in some aspects, the arena 650 is provided unassembled in thepackaging (such that the user can then assemble the components of thearena 650 in a desired arrangement). In some example embodiments, stuntarena assemblies may include remote control vehicles without batteries.In some example embodiments, stunt arena assemblies may include remotecontrol vehicles with one battery for use with the vehicles. And inother example embodiments, stunt arena assemblies may include multiplebatteries for use with remote control vehicles, such that one of thebatteries can be used to operate the remote control vehicles while otherones of the batteries are charged (e.g., using remote controls of theassemblies, etc.). In some example embodiments, stunt arena assembliesmay include any combination of remote control vehicles, remote controls,stunts, and/or arenas provided herein.

In some example embodiments, remote control vehicles may include lights(e.g., ultraviolet lights, etc.) included therewith (e.g., mounted toframes of the vehicles, etc.) configured to illuminate portions ofarenas in which the vehicles are operated (e.g., portions of the arenascomprising luminous materials (e.g., paints, markings, adhesives, etc.);luminescent materials (e.g., paints, markings, adhesives, etc.); othermaterials that give off visible light through fluorescence,phosphorescence, radio luminescence, etc.; etc.). In addition, in someaspects of these embodiments, the arenas may include markings thatbecome visible (e.g., glow, etc.) when illuminated by the lights on thevehicles, thereby leaving trails indicating paths of travel for thevehicles.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A remote control for use with a remote control vehicle, the remote control comprising a charging port for receiving and charging a battery of the remote control vehicle.
 2. The remote control of claim 1, wherein the battery of the remote control vehicle is a first battery, and wherein the remote control is configured to charge the first battery of the remote control vehicle while substantially simultaneously controlling operation of the remote control vehicle being powered by a second battery.
 3. The remote control of claim 2, further comprising an actuator for controlling operation of the remote control vehicle. 